Community council opposes hotel site plans

Opposition to flats on site of Cambus Court

Cambuslang Community Council has lodged an objection to plans to redevelop the site of the former Cambus Court hotel on conservation grounds.

PVP Construction last month lodged plans to create three, three-storey flatted blocks on the site of the old hotel, which had to be demolished after it became unsafe following a blaze.

But the application has failed to find favour with community council members, who feel 20 flats on the site is unacceptable.

In their letter dated March 24, chair Iain McKenzie said: “Cambuslang Community Council stongly opposes the proposed development on the grounds that it would damage the character and appearance of a conservation area.

“The Cambuslang conservation area was designated, in accordance with Scottish Government policy, as an area of special architectural, historic interest, whose character and appearance is to be preserved and enhanced.

“Under Scottish Historic Environment Policy (SHEP), planning authorities have a responsibility for ‘preserving or enhancing the character and appearance of the area when exercising their powers under the planning legislation’ (par 2.44).

“This has been a consistent theme of Scottish planning police on conservation areas through various guidance documents over the past 15 years through to the current SHEP - and reiterated once again in the 2013 consultation draft on the future of Scottish planning policy.

“South Lanarkshire’s own local development plan emphasises that protecting the historic environment is a key objective. Indeed, it states that ‘the council will seek to protect important... historic sites and features (including conservation areas)... from adverse impacts resulting from development.”

Community council members felt the development was not in keeping with the character of the Victorian buildings which make up the majority of the area.

In his letter, Iain continued: “We consider the proposed development to be inappropriate to the character and appearance of the conservation area in terms of height, scale and mass compared to neighbouring and other properties in Central Avenue.

“It would involve a density of dwellings more than five times the existing density of the conservation area, and the height of the proposed blocks would overshadow neighbouring properties.

“The development would significantly increase traffic flow and congestion on a narrow street only 5.3 metres wide, causing problems for drivers and pedestrians. In short, the proposed development would have a major ‘adverse impact’ on the character of the area.

“We would remind South Lanarkshire Council that this is a particularly sensitive site given the troubled history of the listed building, Cambus Court. We are aware that Historic Scotland only reluctantly approved the demolition recognising the historic nature of the building and its value to the local community and conservation area.

“While we accept the site should be developed, we insist that any replacement development is carefully considered and fully in keeping with the character and appearance of the area. The current proposal does not meet these criteria.

“We are also aware of the strength of feeling on the proposed development in the community and that local reisdents are considering bringing this application to the attention of the Scottish Government with a view to requesting that it be called in for the Government’s attention.

“While such projects are not commonly called in by the Government, you will doubtless be aware of the number of representations and powerful arguments previously put forward by the community with regard to this site. Based on the representations made to us, and the expert advice we have been given, we consider that an appeal to Government would stand a good chance of success.

“We therefore urge you to comply with South Lanarkshire Council’s duty under Scottish Historic Environment Policy and preserve the character of the conservation area by rejecting this application.”